Our expert team of property consultants can provide specialist services throughout the full life cycle of science and technology projects.
Our experience
within the science and technology sector
Image: ARM Cambridge Headquarters,
Peterhouse Technology Park
At Carter Jonas, we have adopted a different approach to the market and brought together a suite of skillsets from across our business to provide our clients with an expert team of property advisors who operate throughout the full lifecycle of science and technology projects.
Whether you are looking for a single service, or our full offering, our collaborative and innovate approach is bespoke for each client.
Our full suite of services within the sector
Whether you are a landowner exploring the development potential of your land, a developer looking to secure planning permission for a related scheme, a landlord with R&D facilities, an innovative company searching for new premises, or a fund keen to invest in the UK science and technology property market, we are here to help you.
The below timeline outlines which services we provide throughout the science and technology life cycle.
A selection of our work within the science and technology sector
The Oxford Science Park
The Oxford Science Park is one of the most influential science, technology and business environments in the UK
Carter Jonas acted as local marketing agents from 2015 to 2023, initially for Magdalen College and, from 2022, for Magdalen’s joint Venture with GIC. Whilst our role encompassed a wide range of letting, asset management and consultancy roles, we have been primarily responsible for leasing both existing and proposed stock.
The park includes around 700,000 sq ft of office, laboratory and
amenity accommodation and our professionals have helped to establish a cluster of 90+ companies that support over 2,500 jobs within the life sciences, digital healthtech and technology sectors.
Harwell
Campus
Harwell Campus is a leading science, innovation, technology and business campus, located just south of Oxford. The Campus boasts 700 acres and contains over 200 organisations, employing 6,000 people across more than 60 nationalities.
We have been retained for over 25 years to act as planning consultant and deal with all development matters on behalf of the Harwell Campus Partnership, a public/private section partnership between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Brookfield.
Our most recent success has been to work with the Local Planning Authority to secure delivery of The Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC), the UK’s first dedicated Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre. Through detailed consultation with the Vale of White Horse and the granting of Priority Planning Status, we obtained agreement to commence construction of this nationally significant facility last year, months before planning permission was granted, to assist with the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARM cambridge headquarters
For the past 10 years we have been appointed by ARM Holdings, the world’s largest semi-conductor IP company, to act as their sole strategic property adviser in Cambridge on their property holdings and with regard to their short and long-term expansion requirements.
To assist in the continuing growth of ARM, our most recent instruction is to acquire an additional 100,000 sq ft office accommodation. Heads of terms have recently been agreed and the planning application is due for submission.
Since we started working with ARM as their trusted adviser we have not only provided agency, planning and development services but also building surveying, landlord and tenant, and valuations advice. We continue to work in partnership with ARM, a highly respected and renowned worldwide company. Our appointment was based on our level of knowledge and professionalism, and the ability to provide many key services from within.
The Cambridge Science Park
The Cambridge Science Park was established 48 years ago when Trinity College Cambridge embraced the concept that would change the hi-tech sector in Cambridge, the UK and beyond. Trinity owns the freehold of the Cambridge Science Park, which today comprises 150 acres, 1.7 million sq ft of high technology and laboratory buildings.
It’s home to 7,000 people at over 130 companies, ranging from exciting start-ups to some of the world's leading technology businesses.
Our professionals were appointed to dispose of phases IV and VI, including the office and laboratory space pre-let to Takeda.
Culham
Science Centre
Culham Science Centre combines world-class publicly funded research into fusion power; commercial technology organisations and Culham Innovation Centre, to create a powerhouse of high technology innovation and enterprise in South Oxfordshire. The science centre is set within 80 hectares.
We have been retained by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to provide planning and development consultancy services in connection with the Culham Science Centre for over 20 years. We have also now started to deliver commercial agency advice on the scheme.
Most recently, we have also secured the release of Culham Science Centre from the Green Belt. This is a significant step for the future development of the science centre.
Silverstone
Park
Silverstone Park sits at the heart of the UK’s Motorsport Valley and is recognised as a world leading innovation cluster for engineering and technology.
Carter Jonas has acted as the Park’s local agent from
2018 until 2023, being directly responsible for handling the majority of occupational activity, including the three latest development phases, jointly totalling 525,000 sq ft.
Further work
within our
portfolio
Cambridge Business Park, Cambridge
Client:
The Crown Estate
Service we provided: Agency
Knowledge Gateway,
Essex
Client:
University of Essex
Service we provided: Development consultancy
Nottingham Science Park, Nottingham
Client:
Nottingham City Council
Service we provided:
Menai
Science Park, Bangor
Client:
Bangor University
Service we provided:
Agency
Project management, agency,
building consultancy
Adastral Park,
Ipswich
Client:
BT
Service we provided:
Development consultancy, agency
York Science Park, York
Client:
York University Innovation Centre
Service we provided:
Agency
We also act for occupiers within the science and technology sector
07860 360821
Scott Harkness
For further information on the science and technology property market, or to discuss your requirements, please contact:
EMAIL scott
EMAIL James
07780 667005
James Cordery
EMAIL Steven
07801 666142
Steven Roberts
EMAIL Sebastian
EMAIL James
EMAIL Steven
Site identification,
Appraisal & Assembly
Development Consultancy
Development Partner Selection
Planning Consultancy
masterplanning
Market
Analysis
Estate & Park Strategy
Feasibility & Financial Viability Assessments
Funding
Structures
Project Management
Asset Management
Commercial Investment &
Agency
Marketing &
Brand Identity
Occupier
Engagement
Building Consultancy
Energy
Advisory
Identification,
Appraisal & Assembly
We provide initial planning, development and financial viability advice to help our clients understand and unlock the value of complex sites and difficult or failing assets.
We couple our expertise in identifying development potential with key market trends. This allows us not only to identify the most suitable areas for development growth but also use our market intelligence to identify locations where there is demand for new space.
We undertake a comprehensive search for suitable sites engaging with our specialist planning and geospatial mapping teams, to locate sites that are suitable for science and technology uses surrounding universities, hospitals and key centres.
Where suitable sites are identified but it is necessary for landowners to pool their land interests to pursue a successful development strategy, we also use our expertise in landowner representation to negotiate collaboration and equalisation agreements.
Development Consultancy
Strategic development land is a core area of our professional and agency practice, and we consider ourselves market leaders who are very well placed to assist our landowning clients through the full lifecycle of large-scale development land projects.
We act for many landowners across the country in overseeing the promotion of strategic land interests, securing valuable planning permissions and ultimately in employing successful disposal strategies that maximise the land value return to our clients.
Key to our success is our desire to establish long term relationships with our clients. In so doing we strive to offer genuinely strategic advice that goes beyond a pure agency remit. This advice is built upon a sound understanding of planning strategy and our clients’ objectives in both the short and longer term.
Development
Partner Selection
Quite often given the scale of proposals, the cost of planning and the expertise required to deliver successful development, our landowning clients look to procure a development partner to bring funding and expertise at its own risk in exchange for a share of value generated if development is realised successfully.
We have a wealth of experience in advising clients on the process of selecting the right development partner for their land. This will often include the full range of procurement options, from conditional sales and development agreements through to full equity participation joint ventures, including OJEU-compliant processes.
Planning
Consultancy
Our team of planning consultants act on behalf of some of the largest science and technology developers, investors and landowners in the UK and have been integral to the vision and delivery of some of the foremost national science and technology facilities.
We have the experience in project managing these exciting projects and delivering vision over the longer term. This includes the delivery of major specialist developments and experience acting as expert witness at local plan and public inquiries.
We have a strong track record of preparing creative and robust evidence-based economic and commercial strategic visions that help to inform plan-making and support planning applications. Our work is helping our clients to direct new investment and development to the right locations at the right time.
Masterplanning
Our in-house masterplanning team is involved at all stages in the development and estate/park strategy process. We are helping to create and deliver attractive, commercially viable and sustainable places that combine the optimum mix of uses in high quality buildings and environments.
Market Analysis
Using our in-house Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and bespoke market research surveys we can define realistic catchments, population and employer/sector profiles. This market intelligence, combined with our understanding of the key performance indicators that make successful parks and centres means that we can advise on how to create more attractive and viable locations, increase occupier demand and grow asset values, allowing businesses to flourish.
Estate & Park Strategy
We have developed the Location Asset Strategy Review (LASR) to help identify key opportunities for the rationalisation of parks and property portfolios, thereby allowing strategic decisions to be made and progress achieved. Our site and park reviews consider development sites, clusters, amenity, redevelopment and planning advice.
Feasibility &
Financial Viability Assessments
We have a dedicated team of development and valuation surveyors who are highly skilled in analysing developments and advising on the financial viability of science and technology schemes. Our experts provide commercial direction through the design and planning process, including advice on how to balance occupier engagement outputs and financial returns. Our network of offices across the UK means we are able to combine a national overview with a comprehensive knowledge of the local markets we work in.
Funding Structures
Our development and investment teams work on a wide variety of industry standard and innovative financial structures to source funding for projects. Working for both the public sector and private sector developers and investors, we have extensive experience in grant funding and related business cases.
Project Management
Delivering a bespoke service designed around the requirements of each project, our project managers are experienced in successfully driving projects from pre-construction through to completion and handover, and in the identification and mitigation of the risks associated with delivering works to the built environment. Sustainability is at the forefront of our approach and our team considers the environmental impact of schemes throughout delivery and beyond.
Asset Management
We have a strong track record in commercial property management, ranging from day-to-day management to the preparation of business plans focused on lease restructuring, change of use, refurbishment and development. Our asset managers work closely with building owners and investors to ensure that assets operate in a sustainable manner and provide the type of space that responds to occupier requirements.
Commercial Investment & Agency
Our science and technology specialists advise companies, private and public sector clients on the valuation, acquisition and disposal of leasehold and investment properties and portfolios across the UK, as well as help them find the right solutions including high spec R&D facilities, offices, manufacturing and storage.
Through our knowledge of this evolving market and our senior level relationships with many of the key players within the UK marketplace, we can provide expert knowledge and guidance throughout the acquisition and disposal process to provide a successful delivery.
Marketing &
Brand Identity
The branding and marketing of any science and technology park is a key contributor to its success. We have a wealth of experience working with marketing professionals who create bespoke branding, websites, brochures, signage, logos, emails, mailers, events and more. Drawing on our experience with other successful parks, we collaborate closely with the chosen marketing professionals, working within an agreed budget and timeframe, to fully understand the brief and provide a different perspective.
Occupier Engagement
An effective workplace seeks to determine the most appropriate arrangement of our client’s spaces to enable efficient working for the tasks required. Our professionals consider the individual activities involved and the collaboration of groups and teams to provide unique spaces that ensure all staff can complete their work to the best of their capability.
Building Consultancy
Our building consultants look to maintain and enhance all our clients’ property assets by providing high-level strategic advice and implementation. We provide a wide range of consultancy services within the science and technology sector such as technical due diligence, dilapidations, development monitoring and planned maintenance. We also support clients through the provision of project-related services such as design, employer’s agent and contract administration.
Energy Advisory
Our market leading energy team comprises surveyors, valuers, environmental specialists, project managers and town planners. This blend of expertise enables us to provide sound independent advice on all aspects of an energy project, enabling our clients within the science and technology sector to take full advantage of the opportunities that the energy market presents.
Hover and click on each icon to find out more about the service we provide
Below is a selection of our recent clients
Scroll to find out more
Granta
Park
Our building consultancy professionals were appointed to provide advice, instruct a professional team, undertake design, procurement and ultimately oversee the delivery of the new office space at Granta Park, Cambridge. Our client had extremely tight timescales driven by funding requirements.
Our role included monthly reporting on progress and financial matters and led to the successful delivery of 20,000 sq ft of new space on time and under the projected budget. Our contribution to the project is outlined below:
Carter Jonas has provided great project management services, enabling a successful build which was achieved on time and to budget. There was continuous, effective communication by the team and a willingness to go above and beyond. Their contribution made the project easier and timelier; we would not hesitate to engage their services again.
Laura Murfin, Head - Legal Affairs, TWI Ltd
Oxford
Business Park
Carter Jonas was instructed to sell Trinity House at Oxford Business Park, totalling approximately 25,800 sq ft. Following a robust marketing exercise, we successfully sold to Breakthrough Properties, a specialist Life Sciences developer.
Carter Jonas has since been re-instructed as letting agents
for Breakthrough’s proposed ‘best in class’ lab building which, subject to
receiving planning consent, will total approximately 169,000 sq ft and is due to be available in 2025. We have been actively involved during the design phase to ensure the building meets current occupier needs.
Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
For the past two years, our professionals have provided valuable asset management support to help Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst achieve a 100% occupancy rate within the Incubator Building, enabling early-stage companies to develop and commercialise advanced therapeutics in serviced laboratory and office accommodation. Our contribution to the Incubator Building’s success is outlined below:
Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst has been able to draw on Carter Jonas’ multi-disciplinary offer utilising their consultancy, mapping and property management teams to deliver a very high level of service to its occupiers. Carter Jonas has substantial experience in the life sciences sector; their advice is supported by the latest market knowledge and insight and as a team they are very well regarded by all at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst.
Sally Ann Forsyth, Chief Executive Officer, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
Head of Commercial
Site Identification,
Appraisal & Assembly
Development consultancy
Development
Partner Selection
Planning
Consultancy
Masterplanning
Market Analysis
Estate &
Park Strategy
Feasibility & Financial Viability Assessments
Funding Structures
Project Management
Asset Management
Commercial Investment
& Agency
Marketing &
Brand Identity
Occupier
Engagement
Building Consultancy
Energy Advisory
To find out more please view this
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EMAIL MAtt
07815 469115
Matt Lee
Head of Science & Technology
Available lab spaces
Keele University Science and Innovation Park
Staffordshire
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Nova
Oxford
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Matrix House
Cambridge Business Park
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The Vitrum Building
St John’s Innovation Park
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Keele University Science and Innovation Park
Staffordshire
• Fully integrated into Keele University’s 600-acre campus
• Home to over 50 specialist science and technology companies
• Spaces are available from 300 sq ft to a whole bespoke building
EMAIL ME
Alex Tross
Partner
07789 027 191
Nova
Oxford
Target availability Q1 2024
• 43,573 q ft suitable for R&D/GMP
• Oxford’s first volume solution
EMAIL ME
Jon Silversides
Partner
07720 537141
Matrix House
Cambridge Business Park
Flexible laboratory opportunity
• 22,681 sq ft self-contained building providing laboratories and workspace
• Bespoke conversion opportunities available now
EMAIL ME
William Rooke
Partner
01223 326815
The Vitrum Building
St John’s Innovation Park
High specification well-being led laboratories and workspace
• Up to 170,000 sq ft
• 2 miles from Cambridge city centre
• Target availability Q1 2026
EMAIL ME
William Rooke
Partner
01223 326815
Matrix House
Cambridge Business Park
Flexible laboratory opportunity
• 22,681 sq ft self-contained building providing laboratories and
workspace
• Bespoke conversion opportunities
available now
EMAIL ME
William Rooke
Partner
01223 326815
Nova
Oxford
Target availability Q1 2024
• 43,573 q ft suitable for R&D/GMP
• Oxford’s first volume solution
EMAIL ME
Jon Silversides
Partner
07720 537141
Keele University Science and Innovation Park
Staffordshire
• Fully integrated into Keele University’s 600-acre campus
• Home to over 50 specialist science and technology companies
• Spaces are available from 300 sq ft to a whole bespoke building
EMAIL ME
Alex Tross
Partner
07789 027 191
Our full suite of services within the sector
The Park, which wraps round and is independent to the Grand Prix circuit, totals approximately 131 acres and has a total capacity of approximately 2M sq ft.
THE SPICERS SITE, SAWSTON
Client:
Huawei Technologies Research
& Development (UK) Ltd
Service we provided: Planning consultancy, application,
project management
Trinity House
Oxford Business Park
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Trinity House
Oxford Business Park
Anticipated completion date 2026
• 35,000 to 215,500 sq ft lab building, offering a
range of fitted, turnkey and Lab Ready solutions
EMAIL ME
Jon Silversides
Partner
07720 537141
Adastral Park,
Ipswich
Client:
Huawei Technologies Research & Development (UK) Ltd
Service we provided:
Planning consultancy, application, project management
The Vitrum Building
St John’s Innovation Park
FIND OUT MORE
Trinity House
Oxford Business Park
Anticipated completion date 2026
• 35,000 to 215,500 sq ft lab building,
offering a range of fitted, turnkey
and Lab Ready solutions
EMAIL ME
Jon Silversides
Partner
07720 537141
EMAIL Jon
07720 537141
Jon Silversides
Partner, Commercial Oxford
EMAIL Kimberly
01223 558037
Kimberly Brown
Associate Partner,
Planning and Development
EMAIL Chris
07800 572007
Chris Hartnell
Partner
Commercial Leeds
